Top Rated User Reviews at Abe's of Maine

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answer questions. Our editors have selected some of their favorite
user reviews from the thousands submitted on our website and
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in the future. If you see your review posted here, contact Abe's
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1. Canon EOS 5D Mark II Digital SLR Camera

A REAL upgrade to 5D

Reviewed by: Bratan from
Suffern, NYAbout Me: Semi-pro Photographer

Comments: I've been doing
photography as a serious hobbyist for about 4 years now. Canon
5D Mark II, seems like a big step from 1st generation 5D that
I had before (just like it was a step above my 1st SLR Canon
20D). After taking few shots of the spring flowers I was completely
blown away by the quality of the image and impressive clarity,
brightness and sheer size of the LCD display. I find it very
useful now, especially for focusing in the live mode. Camera
will feel very familiar to anyone who had 5D. Shape of the body
and buttons are in the usual places. This camera felt slightly
lighter to me than my old 5D. Shutter sound is a lot softer
now, so you have a better chance not to spook animals in the
wild. And of course there's an HD Movie mode. Saying that I
was impressed, is understatement. Quality of the footage is
superb! Combined with a set of good lenses (I have bunch from
Macro to 400mm telephoto) you can film things no other HD camera
can. I also like live mode, although I don't find much use for
it. It is useful for silent photography or when you can't hold
camera to your face (like above the crowd or very low). My biggest
gripe is lack of autofocus in the live/movie mode. Manual mentines
that there's a limited and slow ability to autofocus, but I
still haven't figured out how to use it. Fortunately you get
a large bright screen so manual focusing can be done. There's
alos some noise during filming from the lens internal stabilization/autofocus
system, but I did not find it very distracting. I would not
turn off IS to reduce the noise, because it HELPS ALOT during
filming, almost like you are holding camera on the shoulder.
Did I mention how much I love making HD movies with this camera?
:) Sensor cleaning is also a great feature. I got so tired of
constantly cleaning it on my old 5D. Auto ISO is the feature
I thought I'd never use, but it's awesome! It's one thing less
to worry about and since ISO noise is so low on this sensor,
I always leave Auto ISO on.

Comments: "This is my first
SLR coming from a Canon point and shoot. I thought that had
nice pics but this T1i blows it out of the water and you do
not even have to be an experienced user to get great pictures
with all of the auto modes. Love the Custom Auto setting!
The HD video capture is a nice feature for those of us that
want short clips that are worth watching and they look great
with a little extra cost out of pocket for a mini HDMI. And
you can take stills with a click of a button while it is recording
video.
You can't beat the color and clarity of the 15.1 pics and they
average about 5.5 megs per pic. Compression has come a long
way.
I have purchased a 55-250mm Canon IS lens to compliment the
18-55 IS kit lens and got a 50mm f1.8 for portraits and close
ups. All in all, I have a pretty sweet new hobby and have definitely
renewed my interest in photography.
Put it all together with my Swiss Gear Mythos camera bag and
I have still have room to tote around my point and shoot for
those times that you just need something smaller."

Action mode with the 55-250mm IS 30ft out

Profile shot with the 50mm f1.8 lense 4ft out

Bottom Line
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

3. Pentax K-7 Digital SLR Camera with DA 18-55mm WR
Lens

Recommended

Reviewed by: Student
Dentist from FLAbout Me: Photo Enthusiast

Comments: I researched
DSLRS for months before setting on the K-7. I went with the
K-7 because of the build quality, value, and uniqueness, and
I went with Abes of Maine because they had the best deal on
the package with the two weathersealed lenses. I have already
been caught in two torrential storms with this camera, and it
survived like a champ. I am new to DSLRs, but I have found the
pentax to be mostly intuitive. I have learned a lot by reading
everything I can about this camera from the manual to online
forums, and every now and then I get a key tip that improves
the way I shoot. There are so many different modes and customizations
that you can make, if you understand them all, I can't imagine
any shooting situation you couldn't optimize the camera for.
The images this camera can create with the kit lenses can be
stunning. After handling the K-7 for a month, then handling
other DSLRS, most others feel like plastic toys due to the K-7's
solid construction and comfortable. If you're aiming for a great
deal around this price range, you won't find more for your money
than the K-7.

Bottom Line
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

4. Sony BRAVIA KDL-55EX500 55" LCD HDTV - 1080p

Comments: 1. 55" is the
ideal diagonal screen size for a not-so-big, let's say average
living-room. If you sit within 10 yards from the screen you
get an impression of sitting in a cinema-theatre. Eyes almost
do not see the edges of the TV and that makes you deeply immerse
in a movie!
2. The design can fit any style of your apartment - either classic
of modern: the TV-set has a piano-black frame with dark matte
metallic line on the bottom.
3. Tested on kids! =))))) Because of the screen size and great
picture quality they do not tend to come too close to the screen,
looking at it from 15 inches and you will not need to worry
that they will hurt their eyes, instead they just sit on the
coach. Frozen. =)) (Parents will understand me).

Bottom Line
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

5. Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 Megapixel Digital Camera

Comments: I'm on the Ventura
County Sheriff's Mountain Search and Rescue Team so we spend
a lot of time in the wilderness. My primary camera is a Cannon
EOS 5D MkII and it takes excellent pictures, but it's too big
to take on rescues. I can put the DMZ-CS7 in my pocket and with
it's 12X zoom I can get really good action shots of our team
in action. The built in flash makes it a really versatile camera
and the Macro Zoom lets you get within a couple of inches of
flowers, insects, etc.

Bird of Paradise Flower

Setting up a System

Bottom Line
Yes, I would recommend this to a friend.

6. Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens -
f/4.0

Amazing bang for the buck

Reviewed by: Dan M. from
Eugene, ORAbout Me: Semi-Professional

Comments: This is the first
in my budding collection of "L" glass. I couldn't be more pleased.
Much lighter than the 70-200mm F/2.8L which makes a difference
on long shoots. Images are crisp; beautiful bokeh 200mm wide
open with close subjects. Focus is very fast. Shot the Eugene
Marathon with it today in sputtering rain on my 50D, no cover
and no weather related problems. I've used this very successfully
for portrait / sporting events with fantastic results. It's
minor but I do wish all Canon 'L' glass was available in black
finish. What an excellent, affordable entry into Canon's top
of the line lenses. I would definitely buy this lens again.